I.Meaning: The term state means an assemblage of people, occupying a definite territory, under an organized government and subject to no outside control.

II.Elements of the State: The state is made-up of four essential elements.

1.Population: Population is the starting point of any study of making state. Antarctica is not a state as it is without any human population. There can be no standard size of population. The quality of population is important. A state requires healthy, intelligent and disciplined citizens. They should be responsible and full of vitality.

2.Territory: There is no state without a fixed territory, large or small. Similarly there is no territory that is not a part of a state. Living on a common land binds people together. Land, water and airspace comprise the territory of the state. Love for territory inculcates the spirit of patriotism.

3.Government: The agency created to enforce rules of conduct and ensure obedience is called government. The state cannot and does not exist without a government. Government is a must though it may take any form.

4.Sovereignty: Sovereignty is the fourth essential element of the state. A state must be internally experienced and free from external control. Due to this element the state is independent and no other authority can dictate it. It means that the state is legally independent of foreign domination. Every state must have its population, a fixed territory, a duly established government and its sovereignty. In the absence of any of these elements, it fails to claim the status of statehood.